Adressmaker, also known as aseamstress, is a person who makesclothing for women, such asdresses,blouses, andevening gowns. Dressmakers were historically known asmantua-makers, and are also known as amodiste orfabrician.[1]
"Dressmaker" denotes clothing made in thestyle of a dressmaker, frequently in the term "dressmaker details", which includesruffles,frills,ribbon orbraidtrim. "Dressmaker" in this sense is contrasted to "tailored" and has fallen out of use since the rise ofcasual wear in the mid-20th century.
Mantua-maker, in the 18th century a maker ofmantuas, or in general a dressmaker.
Modiste, a maker of fashionable clothing and accessories, with the implication that the articles made reflect the currentParisfashions.
Fabrician, a person who is considered an expert in making modifications and alterations to fabrics and other articles of clothing.
Sewing professional is the most general term for those who make their living by sewing, teaching, writing about sewing, or retailing sewing supplies. A sewing professional may work out of the home, a studio, or a retail shop and work part-time or full-time. This work may include any or all of the following sub-specialties:
Acustom clothier makes custom garments one at a time, to order, to meet an individual customer's needs and preferences.
Acustom dressmaker specializes in women's custom apparel, including day dresses, career wear, suits, evening or bridal wear, sportswear, or lingerie.
Atailor/tailoress makes custom menswear-style jackets and the skirts or trousers that go with them for men or women.
Analterations specialist oralterationist adjusts the fit of completed garments, usually ready-to-wear, or restyles them. Note that while all tailors can do alterations, by no means can all alterationists do tailoring.
Designers choose combinations of line, proportion, color, and texture for intended garments. They may have no sewing or patternmaking skills and only sketch or conceptualize garments.
Patternmakers flat draft the shapes and sizes of numerous pieces of a garment by hand using paper and measuring tools, computer using CAD software, or by draping muslin on a dress form.
Awardrobe consultant orfashion advisor recommends styles and colors for a client.
Aseamstress is a woman who sews, especially one who earns a living by sewing. Before theIndustrial Revolution, a seamstress did hand sewing, especially under theputting-out system. Older variants areseamster andsempstress.
Acostume designer is a person who designs costumes for a film, stage production, or television show.
^Elster, Charles Harrington (2006).The Big Book of Beastly Mispronunciations: The Complete Opinionated Guide for the Careful Speaker. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. p. 112.ISBN978-0-618-42315-6.
